Beefed up security

Ector County deputies' pockets should be a little fuller come Oct. 1.

County commissioners unanimously approved a 12 percent pay raise for starting sheriff's deputies and a 9 percent raise for seasoned peace officers during a second round of budget hearings Tuesday morning.

With the 3 percent cost-of-living raise for county employees approved Monday, Sheriff Mark Donaldson's crew will see a combined total of 15 and 12 percent pay hikes at the beginning of next fiscal year.

"It's a relief, because we're losing a lot of experienced officers to intercity agencies," Deputy Mike Whitfield said.

Whitfield said an 18 percent raise would have been better, but he'll settle for 12.

"It's going to make a difference," he said. "The county is getting so big right now."

Donaldson had asked commissioners for an 18 percent pay raise for all of his peace officers to get them in line with starting pay for Odessa police.

He said he's had six deputies leave the sheriff's office in the last two months for better pay elsewhere.

Commissioner Greg Simmons said he thought the county stretched all it could to get deputies what was approved Tuesday.

Donaldson said even with the raise, deputies will still start at less than starting salary for a city officer, but he's betting on a good benefits package to make up the difference.

"That's something I can sell," he said.

The raise bumps new deputies up to $33,154 a year. That's $7,442 less annually than Odessa police make right out of the academy.

Meanwhile, Donaldson said the raise would definitely help keep any of his deputies that might be on the fence about staying with the sheriff's office.

County Judge Susan Redford said great strides have been made to get county salaries up to market value, but "it's obvious we've failed when it comes to the sheriff's office."

She proposed the pay raise numbers commissioners approved. It's a preliminary nod though - commissioners will take final votes on the 2008-'09 budget in September.

"I felt it was a necessary step for us to take to ensure that we keep quality personnel in the sheriff's office," Redford said.

AT A GLANCE

>> What: Pay raise for all Ector County peace officers.

>> Where: Commissioners gave their first approval at Tuesday morning's budget hearing.

>> Why: Ector County Sheriff Mark Donaldson said his deputies are leaving in droves for better pay elsewhere.

>> How much: Starting deputies will see a 15 percent pay increase, and seasoned officers will see a 12 percent hike. That's including the 3 percent cost-of-living increase for all county employees approved Monday.